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From the moment they posed and postured on stage on that July evening in 2010, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh stood as the focus.
Never has that been more apparent than this offseason, especially now that the Miami Heat's financial ledger for 2013-14 has come into focus.
Ray Allen could have opted out and signed for $500,000 more next season. He didn't, accepting the $3.2 million 2013-14 option on his original Heat contract.
Chris Andersen could have pushed for a bump to $1.7 million next season utilizing the non-Bird exception. He didn't, back at his veteran-minimum of $1.4 million for the coming season.
And now comes word that Greg Oden not only signed for the veteran minimum himself for the coming season, but also signed without the insurance of a player-option for 2014-15. In the arcane world of the NBA salary cap and luxury tax, that allows the Heat to put him on their books for the coming season at $884,000 instead of the $1.027 million he actually receives, a neat little accounting trick only available with a one-year (no-option) contract that actually gets the league to pay the $143,000 difference.
At first glance, the savings come off as meager, an almost penny-pinching approach from a team led by one of the wealthiest owners in the NBA.
But with the league's new, onerous luxury tax, all is no longer as it appears. With the Heat more than $10 million in payroll over the NBA's luxury-tax threshold, everything now spent by the Heat comes at a tax of $2.50 per dollar.
That puts the savings with Allen, Andersen and Oden at just about $2 million. And, well, $2 million is $2 million.
If Pat Riley hadn't been getting players to sign or re-sign at discounts for years, there likely would be plenty of outside skepticism.
Instead, it all goes back to July 2010 and the three-headed statement made on that hastily constructed stage at AmericanAirlines Arena: There are LeBron, Wade and Bosh, and there is everybody else.
Because the team was built this way, because it was torn down and reconstructed around those three, this is not the dynamic you have with the New York Knicks, where Amare Stoudemire first was everything and then merely a sidekick once Carmelo Anthony arrived. This isn't Dwight Howard joining Kobe Bryant already in progress with the Los Angeles Lakers.
When Allen, Andersen, Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis and even Mike Miller arrived, they knew where they stood, Miller, in fact, planning for years for the amnesty release that eventually came last month.
It has reached the point where some agents are being told that the Heat plan to carry the minimum of 13 players this season, which would be a first for the Riley era, although he has hinted at the option over the years. Prospects added before camp, in fact, could be just passing through, able to then move on to the Heat's D-League affiliate by being final cuts.
From the moment Allen opted in to the moment it was learned Andersen did not push for his raise, and now to ShamSports.com detailing that Oden has a tax-friendly, one-year contract, the Heat have made it clear where they will spend, and where they will save.
"Pat Riley," Wade said, "continues to do what he told us he would do when we signed our contracts, is every year is he's going to do the best he can to make sure we stay competitive and get better."
So far, everyone appears to be in step and onboard.
FRESH START: The irony in Feb Melo's trade to the Memphis Grizzlies is that the Weston Sagemont prep product thought his fresh start was going to come with the rebuilding Boston Celtics, with the team's offseason deal of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets. "Now I will have a new team," he said at summer league, not realizing how new. "I just want to work with the new guys, trying to get better." Melo spent most of last season in the D-League, with former Celtics coach Doc Rivers hardly a fan, especially when Melo sustained a concussion by walking into a door frame. "It was good just to get the experience, just to play basketball," the 7-foot Brazilian said of going from Syracuse and the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft to the Maine Red Claws. "I think I have improved on understanding the game better. Just going to Syracuse, playing man to man, those are some of the things I had to adjust to. I understand the game better."
FAB, PART II: The Celtics, who made the trade to trim their potential luxury tax, ultimately didn't have room for Melo behind the middling center group of Kris Humphries, rookie Kelly Olynyk and fellow Brazilian Vitor Faverani. The question now is whether he can even set up as third string in Memphis behind Marc Gasol and Kosta Koufos. Melo appeared in six games with the Celtics last season, scoring seven points, with three career NBA rebounds. With the move to Memphis, the question becomes whether he will be the second-coming of Hasheem Thabeet for the Grizzlies.
ANOTHER CHANCE: Cut this past week from the Canadian national team, Heat summer-league washout Myck Kabongo, the point guard out of Texas, at least will get an extra benefit from his tryout time with the national team. Kabongo is now scheduled to work out in Vancouver with Lakers guard Steve Nash, who doubles as general manager of Canada's national team and also now shares the same agent as Kabongo. "We're going to have Myck go out there and learn how to be a point guard under Steve," Canada coach Jay Triano told the Toronto Sun. Heat center Joel Anthony, praised by Triano for his toughness, survived Canada's cut to 15 (12 ultimately will make the team) in advance of FIBA Americas qualifying later this month in Venezuela for next year's World Cup.
A BIG FAN?: Comedian Kevin Hart might not find himself invited back to Dwyane Wade's fantasy camp next summer after playfully assessing the Heat guard before this weekend's run. "When you start talking about D-Wade, you're dealing with one of the most unattractive players in the NBA," Hart deadpanned. "Granted, he's a great friend of mine. But when you're talking about looks, when you're talking about things that are going to propel you into other situations in your life, he doesn't have that. I have that, as a comedian, as a sex symbol, and somebody basically that's setting the trend for more things. Seeing what I've done and what I'm doing makes you go, 'Wow.' See what Dwyane has done and what he's doing, make you go . . . [sarcastic pause] it's average."
STILL INVOLVED: As the NBA union meets in Las Vegas to elect a president Wednesday, Heat forward James Jones remains a fixture on the executive board, with his term as secretary-treasurer not expiring. Jones is one of the 30 team representatives who will elect the successor to Derek Fisher as union president. The union remains without an executive director, with Billy Hunter forced out last season.
10. Times this season the Detroit Pistons will wear alternate uniforms with "Motor City" across the chest, including Dec. 8 against the visiting Heat.
firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat


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Requisites, Principles & Practices
40 hour course developed by Link2Spanish
March 9, 10, 11, 17 and 18, 2012
Georgia Health Sciences Children's Medical Center
1446 Harper Street
Augusta, Georgia
The course was developed in part due to the rigid requirements to utilize trained, qualified healthcare interpreters in hospitals and other healthcare facilities must comply in order to meet the needs of the Limited English Proficient population. Also, it was developed due to our commitment to the advancement of the profession and furthering the education and qualifications of prospective and current healthcare interpreters.
Healthcare Interpreter Training is an intensive, comprehensive 5-day, 40-hour course that will provide the student with a strong foundation in the profession of medical interpreting. The student must take a telephonic language assessment to demonstrate fluency in English and one other language (assessment can be waived if student has previously completed one).
The course covers: The role of the interpreter, interpretation techniques, interpreter protocol, medical terminology, body systems and their function, code of ethics, Title VI, professional development, HIPAA, and Cultural Competency. Also, an important element of this course will be intensive role-play, which will allow the student the opportunity to put into practice the skills learned in class.
Students must attend all 5 days and pass a final oral and written exam in order to earn a certificate of successful completion. The course fee is $700 and includes all course materials: a Student Manual, and "Anatomy-Physiology for Interpreters in Healthcare" handbook. Class size is limited to 25 students.
To register complete the registration form. Once completed, proceed to the PayPal page to complete payment by credit card. If paying is by check, use the "contact us" button to let us know of your intention to pay by check.
Please feel free to contact us at 706-721-6929 should you need additional information. We look forward to see you soon.

subset: commoncrawl


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You don't need to spend a lot of money to keep your kiddo warm through the season especially as they grow so quickly! Better yet, take my parenting pro-tip and purchase next year's coat when all these coats go on sale at the end of the season. You'll feel you're really getting your money's worth. Here are five coats for your little dude to be on the lookout for!
- By Tracy Brennan
Cute clothes for baby's first Thanksgiving
10 affordable coats for toddler girls
Cute baby sweaters for fall


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Cherry Blossom Square Wedding Ring Pillow
Average Customer Reviews Read More Reviews
This romantic ring pillow has been artfully silk-screened with sweeping cherry blossom branches. The precious wedding bands will be discreetly accommodated in the miniature pocket meticulously sewn to the front surface and signed with the Asian character meaning Love. Combine with other coordinating accessories in the Cherry Blossom Collection.
Size: 20 cm
Sale Price: $70.76 (RRP: $94.35)
Availability: Available
25% off storewide sale TODAY. No code needed - prices are as marked.
Dispatch Timeframe: Please allow 14 days for dispatch.
Availability: Available
Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews of this product [1]
(5 of 5) posted 23-01-2012 8:34 pm
Really lovely. Love the little pocket. It's nice and deep so I can be sure that the ring won't fall out!Dakota
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- Wow - they were so cute & what fabulous service :) ordered Monday night (Perth time) & were awaiting me @ my home on the Wednesday !!:) Purchased 4 my daughter holly's engagement party - loved by all - we will b back to order 4 the wedding :)it was a surprise 4 holly & she was thrilled with the product - thank you :) amazing :)
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- Hi just want to say a very big thankyou to all at pink frosting for lovelly items ( silver bells placecard holders , invitations, parasols) love love love these items opps I forgot the cameras as welll!!!! Once again your delivery was quick with gorgeous items you guys are just great.
Jen vander weerden, Gold Coast


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Among the reasons Sjolseth gives for manufacturing the new LED line in the US are: Timely delivery to customers; Quicker turnaround time; Avoiding costly air freight charges; Better control of manufacturing process; Closer eye on product quality; Better cash flow management; and Able to satisfy customers that demand American-made.
Says Benadretti, "With ERP solutions, such as SYSPRO, manufacturers like Seesmart, can not only ensure many of the advantages stated, such as quality, better customer service and so on, but they can lean their operations to the point of actually cutting production costs by manufacturing in the US.
"For example," says Benadretti, "SYSPRO can point to customer case studies that attest to the cost savings, inventory reductions, faster turnaround times and improved product quality that US manufacturers have achieved using SYSPRO ERP. Gone are the days when ERP solutions take years to implement, are forced on existing business processes and pose a steep learning curve for employees," he says, adding: "The SYSPRO award winning, implementation methodology not only enables manufacturers and distributors to speed SYSPRO ERP implementation, but to streamline their business processes during implementation.
"Because SYSPRO software enables mid-size companies to tailor their SYSPRO software, as per the above – and more -- to meet special and often unique requirements, the companies are able to extend operational efficiencies and customer service."
Benadretti summarizes: "With SYSPRO ERP, US manufacturers can gain a distinct advantage in greater time savings, cost savings, customer service enhancement and other major benefits, such as green enablement, by insourcing their manufacturing to the US."
About SYSPRO
SYSPRO has earned the trust of more than 14,500 companies in 60 countries for its suite of visionary software that enhances the competitive thrust of small/mid-sized manufacturers and distributors. The company's adherence to developing technology based on the needs of customers is among the reasons why SYSPRO enjoys one of the highest customer retention rates in the industry. Follow SYSPRO on:
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For more information, visit: www.syspro.com or call Stanley Goodrich: 714/437-1000
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"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function"
- Professor Albert A. Bartlett, University of Colorado
A Full World
by Ian Dunlop
As population rises from 6.8 billion today towards 9 billion by 2050, the inevitable logic of exponential growth in both population and consumption is now hitting the limits of global ecosystems and resource availability. The immediate pressure points are energy security, climate change, biodiversity loss, water and food availability, issues which are converging rapidly in a manner never previously experienced. These are only the tip of the broader global sustainability iceberg.1 Further constraints and limits are fast becoming evident as major developing countries, particularly China and India move up the growth escalator.
This situation is not unexpected; it has been anticipated for decades going back before the 1972 publication of "The Limits to Growth".2 In the meantime the developed world has created a political and capitalist system which has proved incapable, so far, of recognising that the most important factor for its own survival is the preservation of a biosphere fit for human habitation.
The aftermath of WWII bred statesmen and women in both government and business intent upon creating a better world, re-building society, avoiding further conflict and genuinely prepared to take a long-term view. The results were far from perfect, but that vision did provide the foundations for the increasing prosperity the West has enjoyed ever since.
With prosperity came complacency; the assumption that growth within a finite system can continue indefinitely. This is hardly surprising, given that power and influence accrue to those who prosper under capitalism, and that technology until recently has enabled us to push back or ignore any physical constraints. Enormous political and personal capital is now vested in preserving the status quo. As a result, our institutions have become predominantly short-term focused; politically due to electoral cycles and corruption of the democratic process; corporately due to perverse subsidies and incentives, particularly the bonus culture which became the norm through the 1990s. Managerialism3 replaced leadership, statesmen all but disappeared, ethical standards deteriorated, so that we now find ourselves uniquely ill-equipped to handle the long-term challenges which lie ahead. The upshot is a series of escalating crises, most recently the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).
The developing world was intent on slavishly following our example. However in the last decade that began to change as the reality of pollution, resource scarcity and increasing inequity hit home, and it became obvious that the developed world model has serious flaws.4
What was workable in a relatively empty world of two-three billion people post-WWII is not workable in today's full world of 6.8 billion, let alone the nine billion to come. Our ideological preoccupation with a market economy, based on political expediency and short-term profit maximisation, is rapidly leading toward an uninhabitable planet, as sustainability issues of theoretical concern for decades manifest themselves physically, particularly in regard to climate and energy:
Climate change
There is now unprecedented evidence that human carbon emissions from fossil-fuel consumption and land degradation are, on the balance of probabilities, warming the planet at an accelerating rate.5 6 7 Despite two decades of negotiation, virtually nothing has been done to address the problem, with human emissions accelerating in excess of the worst predictions8. The impact is clearly seen in record global surface and ocean temperatures9, rapid Arctic and Antarctic ice volume loss 10 11 12 13, increasing permafrost methane emissions14 15, ocean acidification16 17 and escalating extreme weather events.18 19 20 These major changes are happening at the 0.8oC temperature increase we have already experienced relative to pre-industrial conditions, let alone the additional 0.6oC to 3.5oC21 to which we may already be committed as the full effect of historic emissions is felt.
The inertia of the climate system, particularly the slow warming of the oceans, means that the results of our emissions today only become evident decades hence. Thus unless we take rapid action now, we may well be locking in irreversible climate change of catastrophic proportions for future generations; indeed we may have already done so. A difficulty in gaining acceptance of this thesis is that conventional economics heavily discounts such possibilities.
The appropriate method of handling high impact, low probability events, the so-called "fat tail" conundrum, has been well explored by Harvard's Martin Weitzman22, arguing that conventional cost benefit analysis is entirely inappropriate in such circumstances. The validity of this argument is beginning to be accepted by mainstream economists such as Paul Krugman.23
Unfortunately the latest science suggests that the supposed low probability of these events has increased significantly. Given the serious implications for future generations, we should base solutions far more on ethical and moral values than on economics.
The inexorable conclusion is that the global response to climate change has to be moved to a genuine emergency basis, rather than being seen as incremental change to "business-as-usual" which is still the focus of most current debate.
There will always be scientific uncertainties on an issue this complex, with year-to-year climatic variations continuing to be used selectively by deniers to discredit the mainstream science; but the overall trends are clear and they are all moving in the wrong direction. It is tempting to believe the deniers are right, but faced with the mounting empirical evidence, prudent risk management dictates we should not take the risk that they are wrong.
The Copenhagen COP15 meeting was not the failure generally portrayed in the media, albeit the outcome was not what many had hoped for. For the first time the real issues came on to the negotiating table:
- the impossibility of getting agreement among 193 countries via the UN process,
- the necessity for the top 6-12 emitting countries to take the lead in framing solutions; but based on current, not outdated, science.
- The prospect that the real objective must be to limit temperature increase to 1.5oC or less, relative to pre-industrial levels, rather than the "official" 2o C,
- the beginnings of a technology transfer and financing package for the developing world
Certainly, legal binding undertakings were missing, but this was a forgone conclusion given that the developed world has yet to put forward any serious proposals to encourage developing country action, and that their own targets and policies are hopelessly inadequate and compromised.
There is a long way to go, but it is dawning on global leaders that the size of the challenge is far greater and more urgent than is being officially acknowledged. Unfortunately it may take some further natural disasters to drive the point home; although that may occur more rapidly than expected if the latest evidence can be believed.
Gradually, the world is starting to understand that, if catastrophic outcomes and climatic tipping points24 are to be avoided, the real target for a safe climate is to reduce atmospheric carbon concentrations back to the pre-industrial levels of around 300ppm CO2 from the current 392 ppm CO2. This will require emission reductions in the order of 40-50 per cent by 2020, almost complete de-carbonisation by 2050 and continuing efforts to draw down legacy carbon from the atmosphere.25 26 27 28
Looked at from a total carbon budget perspective, to have a less than 25 per cent chance of exceeding the 2oC temperature increase relative to pre-industrial levels, which is still the official political objective, the world can only emit a further 800 Gigatonnes CO2 in toto from today, a budget which would be used up in less than 20 years. Accepting a 50/50 chance allows the budget to increase to 1,200 GtCO2, used up in less than 30 years. (The Australian budget runs out in around five – eight years).29 If the temperature target has to be less than 2oC, the budgets are considerably lower.
The global constraint would only allow around 27 – 47 per cent respectively of existing fossil-fuel reserves (reserves recoverable with existing technology and prices) to be consumed.30 Why then do we continue to pour investment into expanding reserves of oil, gas and coal with increasingly risky and environmentally damaging ventures such as deepwater oil exploration and tar sands if we can only afford to burn a less than half of existing reserves?
Energy security
Cheap energy has been the cornerstone of successful societies for centuries. Take it away and societies historically, if they were sufficiently resilient, have broken down, re-organised at a lower energy level and moved on. If they were not resilient, they collapsed and disappeared. Today, just as economic growth for the bulk of the world's population is accelerating, the days of cheap fossil–fuel energy are ending, triggered by the peaking of global oil supply and the need to reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change. After years of denial, these realities are finally being acknowledged by official bodies such as the International Energy Agency (IEA)31 and some industry leaders.32 33 34 35 36 Unfortunately the full implications of the message have yet to penetrated the "official future" of many national governments, particularly Australia.
The alternatives to our traditional energy mainstays of oil and coal range from natural gas, unconventional gas from coal seams and shale and new generation nuclear power to numerous renewable energy options, each of which have advantages and disadvantages. On the demand side, enormous opportunities exist for improvements in energy conservation and efficiency.
There is no "silver bullet" to solve escalating energy security concerns, but much "silver buckshot" whose development must be accelerated, ideally by a combination of regulatory and market mechanisms, to meet future needs. The critical policy requirement is that each option is assessed in the light of its true cost, benefits and risks, as discussed in Ian McAuley's chapter. Externalities such as carbon pollution must be fully internalised, inter alia removing the enormous subsidy the fossil-fuel industries have enjoyed since the Industrial Revolution. The competitive ranking of the new alternatives will only emerge gradually, hence the need to accelerate the overall innovation process but avoid picking winners. Each option will take a decade or more to make much impact, so time is of the essence. Whether other forms of cheap energy will emerge, or energy will remain expensive, is unclear, but there is little doubt that energy prices in the medium term will be volatile as the new order unfolds.
Peak oil
Peak oil is not just an economic issue, but a reflection of the physical barriers to energy supply we now face. We are not running out of either oil, gas or coal resources. The issue is how to convert those resources in the ground into flows to the market in an environmentally and economically acceptable manner.
Peak oil is the point at which it is no longer possible to increase oil production to meet demand, notwithstanding increasing prices, as evidenced by the stagnation of global oil supply since 2005.37 It results from the discovery rate of new oilfields falling far behind our escalating use of oil, and the fact that production from long established oilfields is depleting at faster rates than anticipated. As a result, we are forced to explore in more difficult conditions, with ever increasing risk and cost, as witnessed by the BP oil blowout in the Gulf of Mexico and controversy over tar sands production in Canada.38
A critical metric is the "Energy Return on Energy Invested" – how many energy units are produced for the energy invested in producing it. Historically, from an energy production perspective, this ratio has been 100:1 or more for large onshore oilfields; it is now declining below 5:1 in many new offshore oil provinces and tar sands operations, and may fall below 1:1 when the true environmental impact is internalised, at which stage there is little point in continuing operations.39 40
Peak oil, due to the immediacy of its impact, is likely to be the trigger that forces serious action on climate and energy security. The oil price spike to US$147 per barrel in July 2008 warned us of the tightrope we are walking, probably triggering the GFC as it broke the financial back of debt-laden, gasoline-dependent consumers in the US Prices subsequently dropped as the GFC destroyed oil demand, but have currently recovered to around US$80 per barrel. A further rebound can be expected if economic activity strengthens.
Opinions vary widely on the evolution of global oil supply, and much will depend on the speed of recovery.41 It may well be that global supply by 2030 is 20-30 per cent below current levels42 a traumatic change for a world wedded to oil, particularly in sectors where substitution options are limited, for example for private transport and aviation.43
Coal is the most critical factor in solving the energy security and climate change dilemma. It is the largest, cheapest and most widely-available fossil-fuel resource, but has the worst environmental impact, with emissions double that of gas per unit of energy. Unless means can be found to capture and store those emissions securely, the coal industry worldwide must shut down rapidly if catastrophic climate change is to be avoided. Clean Coal Technology (CCT) and geological Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) are seen as the means of securing coal's long-term future, to the point where they have become unquestioned articles of faith on the part of industry and government. Substantial investments are being made in research and development of both CCT and CCS, with high emission facilities, such as power stations, being built "carbon-ready" so that CCS technology can, in theory, be added as soon as it is available.
Unfortunately that faith looks increasingly misplaced. CCS is established technology in the oil and gas industry where it has been practiced safely for decades by storing carbon dioxide in the reservoirs from which it was originally extracted with the oil and gas. However, sequestering carbon emissions on the scale now required by the climate science means the establishment of an industry the size of the world oil industry, storage in geological formations that have never demonstrated the security and stability of oil and gas reservoirs, solving substantial reservoir engineering problems and, unlike oil and gas practice, transporting the material large distances from source to storage. This has to be done at scale in less than two decades to have any real impact on the climate problem. At present there are only five commercial scale projects worldwide, none in the critical power generation area, and technical progress is painfully slow. The IEA have highlighted the need for 100 projects by 2020, 800 projects by 2030, and 3,400 projects by 205044; an extremely demanding target representing an investment to 2050 of around US$5.8 trillion.
CCT refers to a range of technologies, such as Integrated Combined Cycle Gasification and Supercritical Pulverised Coal Plants, aimed at reducing the environmental impact of coal. However, it is an oxymoron in that coal does not become clean, rather emissions are reduced typically by 20-40 per cent and efficiency is increased; which is valuable, but does not solve the fundamental problem of coal's high emissions.
Hence the need for objectivity in developing these proposed solutions. Whilst research on CCS and CCT should continue, it is doubtful they will provide the hoped-for panacea. Given the climate change risks now emerging, it is an extremely dangerous strategy to place most of our eggs in these baskets as Australia is doing, and to lock-in the construction of new high-emission facilities, CCS-ready or not, before the viability of the technology is assured. As The Economist put it:
"Politicians should indeed encourage investment in clean technologies, but direct subsidies are not the way to do it. A carbon price or tax, which raises the cost of emitting carbon dioxide while leaving it up to the private sector to pick technologies, is the better approach. CCS is not just a potential waste of money. It might also create a false sense of security about climate change, while depriving potentially cheaper methods of cutting emissions of cash and attention—all for the sake of placating the coal lobby."45
Much store is placed on the future role of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), Coal Seam Gas (CSG) or unconventional gas from shale beds, as a transition fuel to the low-carbon economy in replacing coal, due to gas having roughly half the carbon emissions of coal. However gas is not without its problems in the context of a climate change emergency response – even halving emissions is inadequate, but gas also has some unexpected consequences.
Coal burning emits not just carbon, but also aerosols, tiny particles which are suspended in the atmosphere and have a cooling effect. Cleaner-burning gas does not emit aerosols, so if coal use drops, to be replaced by gas, the level of aerosols drops correspondingly and hence the cooling effect reduces. One unintended consequence therefore of the use of gas may be a relative increase in global temperature due to the removal of cooling aerosols. This is not a reason to delay the reduction in coal burning, but it is a factor which has to be considered in developing a transition plan to a low-carbon future.
CSG and unconventional shale-gas also have complications. They rely on fracturing geological formations with fluids to release gas trapped in the coal seam or rock pores. Depending on the geological strata, this may result in a rapid production build-up, but an equally rapid production decline, necessitating many wells being drilled over an extensive area using large amounts of water, with potential risks to acquifers and land use. All of which requires high standards of regulation and compliance, with associated costs, if these new industries are to operate responsibly. A very different operation from conventional oil and gas production, which is relatively localised.
A further factor is the leakage of gas prior to combustion. Whilst gas when burnt has roughly half the emissions of coal, if gas is leaked to atmosphere pre-combustion, it has a warming potential around 25 times that of CO2. Hence a leakage rate of around 3 per cent negates the advantage gas has over coal from an equivalent warming perspective. Typical leakage rates appear to be in the 1.5 – 2.5 per cent range, so gas may not have the advantage over coal which is generally assumed. It also emphasises the need for high standards of performance to prevent leakage as the use of gas increases.
The renaissance of the nuclear industry engenders strong emotion, both for and against, in the light of historical accidents such as Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, the risk of nuclear terrorism and weapons proliferation and the legacy implications of nuclear waste. Nonetheless major investments in new nuclear plants are being made particularly in the developing world.
New nuclear technologies promise much safer standards than existing plants, including possibly the ability to use up existing nuclear waste. However these technologies are still in the embryonic stage and far from commercial application.
Given the scale of the climate challenge ahead, it would be unwise, a priori, to exclude nuclear options from the possible solutions. They should be considered, provided the full life-cycle environmental costs and risks are taken into account.
Global discontinuity
Other key factors, such as biodiversity, water and food are also reaching global limits, particularly biodiversity loss which is proceeding 100 to 1000 thousand times faster than the natural level46, and at great economic cost.47 48
The overall impact through the 20th Century is that humanity now requires the biocapacity of almost 1.5 planets to survive.49 Unless action is taken to change our ways, by 2030 we will require two planets. So we are rapidly eating up our natural capital and creating the conditions for escalating global conflict as we squabble over increasing scarcity.
There is much discussion on the technical dimensions of this challenge such as climate, energy, food and water, but these are only symptoms. The underlying drivers are population and economic growth which are creating the great discontinuity between the 20th and 21st Century as we are forced to address what is, in essence, a global sustainability emergency.
The key question for individual nations now is their preparedness to face up to this challenge realistically. Whether they will lead, prepare themselves and seize the enormous opportunities ahead as energy systems, societal and economic values are re-booted, and the world moves on to a low-carbon, sustainable footing, or allow vested interests to dominate, deny and delay, facing straightened circumstances as the impact of climate change and scarcity takes an increasing toll on their environment, economy and society.
Further, will they acknowledge that the capitalist model as we know it, and the economic growth that goes with it, is no longer sustainable. Capitalism is arguably the most effective mechanism the world has so far known for providing goods and services and creating financial wealth, but as the GFC demonstrated only too well, it is now under attack from itself and its lack of underlying principle. Capitalism should have a major role to play in achieving global sustainability – but what form should it take?
Some nations, and businesses, clearly have got the message – China, South Korea, the US and some European countries for example, are positioning themselves to be world leaders in making the transition.50 51 Others, generally the resource-rich countries, continue to drag the chain in the hope that their conventional business models can continue indefinitely, ironically on the back of Chinese growth!
The debate is invariably pitched in the context of the problems and costs of moving away from our comfort zone of business-as-usual. What it ignores is first that business-as-usual is no longer an option, and second the enormous opportunities ahead, as the world is re-jigged for a genuinely sustainable future.
"The 21st Century will, in fact, be the Age of Nature. We'll learn, probably the hard way, that nature matters: we're not separate from it, we're dependent on it, and when there's trouble in nature, there's trouble in society."52
Whither Australia?
So how is Australia placed to negotiate this discontinuity?
We have had a dream run since the end of World War II, built on our natural wealth. Despite the occasional hiccup, our economy has expanded year after year, with increasing prosperity. Much of our success has been built around supplying agricultural products and raw materials to the expanding economies of the world, particularly in Asia – initially Japan, then Korea and South East Asia, now China and India. Understandably we are proud of being world leaders in agriculture, mining and processing, but we have also created a strong and vibrant society in many other areas, all built around a capitalist, market economy model.
Our resource base is formidable and expanding. Not only do we have substantial energy resources of gas and coal, but we have the world's largest uranium and thorium resources and enormous untapped renewable energy – solar, wind, ocean, geothermal and bioenergy.53 Beyond that, iron ore, other metalliferous minerals and agricultural assets abound
However as McAuley points out, as the discontinuity unfolds, that bounty may well become our Achilles heel unless carefully managed. Much of our exports are carbon-intensive – thermal and coking coal, alumina, natural gas, with coal being the largest export earner of around $36 billion in 2009-10.54 Our domestic energy system is highly carbon-intensive, largely a result of readily available and inexpensive coal.55 Our carbon emissions are correspondingly high, around 19 tonnes CO2 per capita in 200756 amongst the highest in the world.
A weak point is oil, where Australia has a particular vulnerability. We are around 50 per cent self-sufficient in oil, declining rapidly unless new discoveries save the day which seems unlikely. We rely on long supply lines from Asian refineries for around 85 per cent of our daily product use, offset by high exports. We do not comply with the requirements of IEA membership to maintain a 90 day net import strategic petroleum reserve, relying instead on operational stocks and just-in-time delivery. With a small, geographically dispersed population in a large land mass, we are heavily dependent on transport fuels. The cost of our oil and gas imports is now close to twice our oil and gas exports, with high coal exports saving the day. This will represent an increasing burden on our current account deficit as our level of self-sufficiency declines.
Despite this vulnerability, peak oil is not on the Federal Government agenda. While some state governments have taken it seriously57, studies at the Federal level have been dismissive58, even though it may have far more impact in the short term than climate change.
If the world now moves rapidly to a low-carbon footing due to climate change, whilst facing increasing oil scarcity due to peak oil, many of our traditional advantages turn into major strategic risks – that is risks beyond our control which have the potential to fundamentally change our way of life, and undermine our economic strength.
Whilst our raw material exports will not cease overnight given likely strong demand from the developing world, a shift toward low-carbon alternatives will seriously disadvantage Australia if carbon sequestration technologies fail. Similarly, we may not find it that easy to secure the oil imports we require. Domestic alternatives, based on our coal and gas resources, such as Coal-to-Liquids (CTL) and, to a lesser extent, Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) technologies are likely to be expensive and environmentally damaging.
In agriculture, Australia is already experiencing the impact of changing temperature and rainfall patterns, which may well be the result of human-induced climate change, with serious drought in many areas and overabundance of rainfall in others fundamentally altering farming patterns and water supply. As the Garnaut Review pointed out:
"Australia has a larger interest in a strong mitigation outcome than other developed countries. We are already a hot dry country; small variations in climate are more damaging to us than to other developed countries"59
On the positive side, we have enormous undeveloped renewable energy resources, and there is great potential for the biological as opposed to geological sequestration of carbon, which has substantial benefits for agriculture60, and possibly for our coal industry.
A Janus nation
The scenario, of rapid climate change combined with the onset of peak oil, while becoming part of mainstream thinking overseas, is still regarded as extremism in Australia, and not as part of the "official future".
Ironically, we have some of the best scientific and analytical advice in the world on the implications of climate change and energy supply, in studies such as the Garnaut Climate Change Review and extensive work by the CSIRO and other bodies.61 62 They indicate the need for rapid change – advice which is blithely ignored.
On the other hand, the vested interests defending the status quo, particularly those linked to some sections of the resource industries, are amongst the strongest in the world, not surprisingly given the importance of those industries historically to the development of Australia and the resulting power they have accrued.
The resistance to accepting the implications of climate change is well documented63 64, as McAuley points out. At virtually every turn in the tortuous path of climate reform over the last two decades, the vested interests have dominated, determined to slow reform, maximising compensation and escape clauses, without regard to the longer-term implications. Gradually, as the evidence has mounted, outright denial has given way publicly to grudging lip service to the need for action, whilst privately delaying tactics continue.
Successive governments have either not believed the science, or have been brow-beaten into adopting minimalist reform agendas, which are largely meaningless in the context of the real problem. Statesmanship and leadership are notably absent.
Environmental NGOs have, in the main, opted to work "in the government tent" in finessing a minimalist reform agenda, rather than insist on meaningful reform, on the basis that it is better to get something started and then modify it, than nothing at all. That the history of major reform in Australia is that, once implemented, it takes at least a decade to make significant change – a decade we no longer have. The abject failure of that strategy has been demonstrated by the backsliding of the Federal government post-Copenhagen in shelving their emissions trading scheme, whilst other countries move forward.65 66
Other sectors of business are taking a far more positive approach to the changes and opportunities ahead67 and are acknowledging the risks of inaction.68 From all sides though, comes the demand for certainty to facilitate investment decisions. But "certainty" if based on the wrong definition of the problem, is bound to unravel rapidly.
Meanwhile the resource sector, buoyed up by bullish forecasts of coal and gas demand from organisations like the IEA69, are forging ahead with fossil fuel developments. These include the doubling coal exports over the next 20 years, the expansion of LNG exports and the establishment of a coal seam gas industry with major investment in mines, railways, ports and processing facilities. There are however no proven means of sequestering the associated carbon emissions.
The investment in alternative clean energy is miniscule in comparison. The strong research capability which Australia developed in many renewable energy areas has departed to more fertile investment climates overseas.
Our great strategic error
So Australia ends up in the worst of all possible worlds. The science is clearly indicating the need for radical emission reductions. The vested interests ignore these calls, continue to undermine any sensible reform and, by special pleading render ineffective even the minimalist reform proposed in the interests of short-term advantage. In the process, as McAuley discusses, sound policy instruments such as emissions trading are discredited due to the political horse-trading as governments bow to vested interest pressure. Lack of certainty on a carbon price stunts the growth of fledgling alternative energy industries, stifles consumer behavioural change and, combined with conflicting regulatory measures, leads to non-optimal short-term investment decisions.
Business demands leadership from government whilst, with a few notable exceptions, showing none itself, and both main political parties lack the stomach to take on the vested interests. So we fall back into the comfort zone of our dig-it-up and ship-it-out high carbon mindset. In so doing, we are making arguably the greatest strategic error in Australia's history.
For while Australia is moving backwards on climate change reform, the rest of the world is accelerating. The Chinese, other Asian countries, Europe and the US are all now vying for leadership in the low carbon economy. A decade hence, with the climate science better understood, it is likely that the incremental demand for our high carbon products will evaporate and the bullish IEA demand forecasts, yet again, will never eventuate. Australia at that point will be left with a large inventory of stranded assets, minimal investment in low carbon alternative energy and little resilience to weather the impact of both climate change and peak oil.
The irony is that Australia has some of the best low carbon resources and opportunities in the world70 71, which we seem determined to ignore.
The time has come for a radical re-think of our strategy for the 21st Century. However it is not good enough just to tinker at the edges of current discredited environmental and energy policies – root and branch surgery is needed. Furthermore, this must be done on an integrated, sustainable basis – what is the realistic carrying capacity of Australia given the societal, environmental and economic pressures likely to confront us?
The pre-requisite is vision and an honest acceptance of the challenge we face.
Re-thinking Australia's 21st Century strategy: Key policy settings for a new Government
1. Recognise that population and economic growth have created a sustainability emergency unique in world history. As a result, we are in the midst of a global discontinuity in which societal values, growth, economic and business concepts have to be restructured urgently. In this context, while the day-to-day business of government will continue, serious effort must be allocated to a fundamental review of short and long-term national strategy as "business-as-usual" is no longer an option. Ideally this should be done with bi-partisan support, separate from adversarial politics.
2. Initiate debate on a comprehensive sustainability strategy for Australia, encompassing inter alia climate, population, energy, biodiversity, resource scarcities, economic, tax and business concepts. McAuley argues for the focus to be on integrated policy, rather than treating issues in separate silos as at present. The objective is for Australia to prosper within realistic national and global carrying capacities, with an emergency plan to achieve the transition to a sustainable future effectively and equitably.
3. Climate change must be treated as a priority as it directly affects Australia's future even in the short term. The lag effect means that we may well be locking in irreversible changes today which will have catastrophic implications for future generations. The formulation of the climate "problematique", on which current global and national policy is based, is almost a decade old. In the interim, scientific understanding and the empirical evidence for anthropogenic climate change have progressed markedly, to the point where it is clear that the climate challenge is far greater and more urgent than we assumed. The gulf between current science and policy is widening dramatically. In short, we are trying to solve the wrong problem with the wrong policies. Until we honestly define the problem, with the appropriate caveats on risk and uncertainty, realistic policy and solutions will not be forthcoming.
Current science suggests that, if catastrophic outcomes and climatic tipping points are to be avoided, the real target for a safe climate is to reduce atmospheric carbon concentrations back to the pre-industrial levels of around 300ppm CO2 from the current 392 ppm CO2. This requires the emission reductions and timeframe discussed earlier in this article. The "climate problematique" should be re-defined in these terms.
4. To maintain the currency of this definition, initiate a regular, objective, statement on the latest climate science and implications, free from political spin, published by authoritative bodies (Chief Scientist, CSIRO, international linkages) which is ongoing, not just in response to events such as Copenhagen or denialist campaigns.
5. Be prepared to challenge conventional thinking and to adopt radical solutions as appropriate. The entire tenor of the climate debate, and energy security, revolves around incremental change to "business-as-usual", whereas the evidence indicates climate change must be treated as a genuine emergency. Many will argue that this is unnecessary extremism and that change of the extent indicated above is impossible, but that is only so when viewed with current mindsets. We have the solutions, given the will to honestly face the size of the challenge, but they are currently being ignored. Our preparedness and ability to take emergency action was demonstrated with the GFC; there is even more reason to apply the same rationale to climate change.
6. Given the warning of catastrophic irreversible tipping point scenarios, based our response more on moral and ethical values than on quantitative economics. Economic analysis is valuable in charting the most efficient pathway to reach the targets, but it should not be the prime consideration in determining those targets. Far more attention should be given to the "fat tail" conundrum of handling high impact, low probability events where conventional cost benefit analysis is inappropriate.
7. Re-frame climate policy accordingly. The CPRS is a disaster which cuts across all sensible design concepts for effective emissions trading. If implemented, it would impose a major cost on the economy for minimal reduction in emissions; it should be dropped forthwith. We need a "root-and-branch" redesign of climate policy built around the "problematique" set out above, with a balance of market and regulatory mechanisms. The rapid introduction of a carbon price is essential, to provide investment certainty and initiate behavioural change; ideally via a simplified and efficient emissions trading mechanism with minimum compensation and escape clauses. This should incorporate both a realistic short-term starting price and a long-term objective. If this proves impossible due to the historic baggage of recent negotiations, it should be abandoned in favour of a simple "fee and dividend" mechanism to minimise rent-seeking and retain public credibility.
8. Develop a balanced portfolio of solutions, with fair transition arrangements but focusing on the opportunities and benefits of creating new industries rather than the problems and costs of moving away from the old. At present the vast bulk of climate policy is aimed at protecting our traditional carbon-intensive industries, with token gestures toward the low-carbon alternatives which represent our future. This must be re-balanced to direct more seed funding to serious alternative technologies, including consideration of new generation nuclear options.
9. No carbon-intensive projects should be approved forthwith, either for domestic or export use, unless they incorporate proven, secure carbon sequestration technologies. In the absence of demonstrable research progress, funding for CCS and CCT should be cut back.
10. Take genuine global leadership. In addition to rapid, deep domestic emission reductions, actively promote concrete proposals to involve the developing world. Moving toward equal per capita emissions globally, as suggested by the Garnaut Review and others before. Dispense with the conditional, "we'll drop ours if you drop yours" approach to emissions reduction.
11. Review Australia's vulnerability to peak oil based on the latest information. Design integrated climate/peak oil strategies accordingly. Global climate constraints only allow around 27 – 47 per cent respectively of existing fossil-fuel reserves to be consumed. Continuing investment into high risk, low efficiency and low EROEI options, such as deepwater exploration, shale and tar sands, and Coal-to-Liquids should be discouraged in favour of low-carbon alternatives.
12. Explain honestly to the community the sustainability emergency and potentially catastrophic climate risks we now face, but equally the enormous opportunities the solutions open up, with education to develop the platform for commitment to the major changes ahead.
13. Take rapid, decisive action to implement a low-carbon economy.
'It is no use saying, "We are doing our best". You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.'72
- "Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (1987), Our Common Future. "The idea is inspired by the belief that the current pattern of human activity cannot be sustained indefinitely. It postulates that there can be a future design of society in which environmental degradation and extremes of social inequity are avoided on an ongoing basis", Tibbs, H. (1999) ↩
- Meadows, D. et al (1972) "The Limits to Growth", A Report to the Club of Rome ↩
- Managerialism – the incremental improvement of the status quo, oblivious to the fact that the status quo is unsustainable ↩
- Nair, C. (2010) "It is time for Asia to rewrite the rules of capitalism" Financial Times, 16th June 2010: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/072311e0-78b7-11df-a312-00144feabdc0.html ↩
- Richardson et al (2009) "Synthesis Report" for Copenhagen Climate Conference http://climatecongress.ku.dk/pdf/synthesisreport ↩
- Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW (2009) "The Copenhagen Diagnosis" http://www.copenhagendiagnosis.com/ ↩
- Steffen, W. (2009) "Climate Change 2009 – Faster Change & More Serious Risks" for ANU Climate Change Institute: http://www.anu.edu.au/climatechange/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/climate-change-faster-change-and-more-serious-risks-final.pdf ↩
- Global Carbon Project (2009) "Global Carbon Budget 2008", http://www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget/08/hl-full.htm ↩
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- Polar Science Centre (2010) ↩
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- Ramanathan, V. and Y. Feng (2008) "On Avoiding Dangerous Anthropogenic Interference with the Climate System" http://www.pnas.org/content/105/38/14245.full.pdf+html ↩
- Weitzman, M. (2008) "On Modeling and Interpreting the Economics of Catastrophic Climate Change", Harvard University. http://www.economics.harvard.edu/faculty/weitzman/files/REStatModeling.pdf ↩
- Krugman, P. (2010) "Building a Green Economy", New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/magazine/11Economy-t.html?pagewanted=1 ↩
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- NASA (2008) "Target Atmospheric CO2 – Where Should Humanity Aim?, Goddard Institute for Space Studies. http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/briefs/hansen_13/ ↩
- Schellnhuber, H. N. (2008) The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/15/climatechange.carbonemissions ↩
- Climate Code Red (2008) http://www.climatecodered.net/ ↩
- Safe Climate Australia (2009) "Transition Plan Strategic Framework". http://www.safeclimateaustralia.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/Transition.Framework.01B.pdf ↩
- Spratt, D. (2009) "Forget about 2050, we're blowing the carbon budget right now". http://climatecodered.blogspot.com/2009/09/forget-about-2050-lets-talk-about-now.html ↩
- Meinhausen et al (2009) "Greenhouse gas emission targets for limiting global warming to 2oC" Nature. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v458/n7242/abs/nature08017.html ↩
- International Energy Agency (2008 & 2009) "World Energy Outlook" OECD, Paris ↩
- Association for the Study of Peak Oil (ASPO). http://www.peakoil.net/ ↩
- "Status of Conventional World Oil Reserves – Hype or cause for concern?", Owen/Inderwildi/King, Smith School, University of Oxford. March 2010. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/7500669/Oil-reserves-exaggerated-by-one-third.html ↩
- UK Industry Task Force on Peak Oil & Energy Security (2010) "The Oil Crunch" http://peakoiltaskforce.net/download-the-report/2010-peak-oil-report/ ↩
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- ibid "The Oil Crunch", P16 ↩
- Podesta, J. (2010) "The Dirty Truth About Tar Sands", Centre for American Progress. http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/06/tar_sands.html ↩
- "Ten Fundamental Principles of Net Energy", The Encyclopedia of Earth, 2008. http://www.eoearth.org/article/Ten_fundamental_principles_of_net_energy ↩
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- ibid "The Oil Crunch", P31 ↩
- ASPO Base Case (2009), Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil. http://www.aspo-australia.org.au/ ↩
- Korowicz, D. Feasta & the Risk/ Resilience Network (2010) "Tipping Point. Near-Term Systemic Implications of a Peak in Global Oil Production". http://www.feasta.org/documents/risk_resilience/Tipping_Point_summary.php ↩
- International Energy Agency (2009) "Technology Roadmap – Carbon Capture & Storage". http://www.iea.org/papers/2009/CCS_Roadmap.pdf ↩
- The Economist (2009) "The Illusion of Clean Coal", 5th March 2009. ↩
- Rockstrom et al (2009) "A Safe Operating Space for Humanity", for Stockholm Resilience Centre. http://www.stockholmresilience.org/planetary-boundaries ↩
- UNEP et al "The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity" et al. http://www.teebweb.org/ ↩
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/21/biodiversity-un-report ↩
- Global Footprint Network (2010) "The Ecological Wealth of Nations". http://www.footprintnetwork.org/images/uploads/Ecological_Wealth_of_Nations.pdf ↩
- HSBC (2009) "A Climate for Recovery". http://www.globaldashboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/HSBC_Green_New_Deal.pdf ↩
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- Homer-Dixon, T. "The Upside of Down", P13 ↩
- Geoscience Australia/ABARE/DRET (2010) "Australian Energy Resource Assessment". Available online: https://www.ga.gov.au/image_cache/GA16725.pdf ↩
- ABARE (2010) "Australian Commodities". Available online: http://www.abare.gov.au/publications_html/ac/ac_10/ac10_June_a.pdf ↩
- ABARE (2009) "Energy in Australia 2009". http://www.abareconomics.com/interactive/09_auEnergy/ ↩
- IEA (2010) "Key World Energy Statistics 2009". http://www.iea.org/stats/index.asp ↩
- Queensland Government (2007) "Queensland Oil Vulnerability Task Force Report", http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Projects_and_initiatives/Projects/Oil_vulnerability_mitigation/ ↩
- ACIL Tasman for DRET (2008) "An Assessment of Australia's Liquid Fuel Vulnerability": http://www.ret.gov.au/energy/Documents/Energy%20Security/Liquid%20Fuel%20Vulnerability%20Assessment.pdf ↩
- "Garnaut Climate Change Review", P xix. http://www.garnautreview.org.au/domino/Web_Notes/Garnaut/garnautweb.html ↩
- CSIRO (2009) "An Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation and Carbon Biosequestration Opportunities from Rural Land Use". http://www.csiro.au/resources/carbon-and-rural-land-use-report.htm ↩
- Foran & Poldy (2002) "Future Dilemmas for Australia's population, technology, resources and environment" for CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems: http://www.csiro.au/files/mediaRelease/mr2002/PrBarney2.htm ↩
- Hajkowicz and Moody (2010) "Our Future World" for the CSIRO Development Group: http://www.csiro.au/resources/Our-Future-World.html ↩
- Pearse, G. (2007) "High & Dry". Available online: http://www.guypearse.com/index.php?pageid=1703 ↩
- Hamilton, C. (2007) "Scorcher" http://www.clivehamilton.net.au/cms/index.php?page=scorcher ↩
- Parkinson, M. (2010) "Climate Change and the Australian Reform Agenda", Sir Leslie Melville Lecture, ANU. http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/media/speeches/~/media/publications/media/climate-change-and-the-autralian-reform-agenda.ashx ↩
- Jotzo, F. (2010) "Comparing the Copenhagen climate targets", Crawford Seminar, ANU. http://www.sciencemedia.com.au/downloads/2010-3-23-1.pdf ↩
- Caspari, D. (2010) "Sailing Toward a Green Economy", Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services, Speech to American Chamber of Commerce, Melbourne, 10th June 2010: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/australia-laggard-on-green-economy/story-e6frfh4f-1225878055224 ↩
- Australian Davos Connection/KPMG (2010) "Australia Report 2010 – Risks & Opportunities". http://www.ausdavos.org/files/Documents/ADC%20Australia%20Report%202010.pdf ↩
- ibid World Energy Outlook (2009), IEA ↩
- See Beyond Zero Emissions (2010) "Zero Carbon Australia 2020" report. http://media.beyondzeroemissions.org/preview-exec-sum14.pdf ↩
- Desertec Australia (2010): http://www.desertec-australia.org/ ↩
- Winston S. Churchill, Lord Mayor's Banquet, 1954 ↩


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Product Brand
See Also
Omni-Heat™ Reflective
Make Your Own Heat
Keep your warmth. Not your sweat.
This breathable warming technology helps regulate your temperature with little silver dots that reflect and retain the warmth your body generates.
- Reflects body heat
- Highly breathable
- Reduces your need for bulky layers
- Wicks moisture to keep you dry and comfortable
Women's Mighty Lite™ III Jacket
* Fields are required.(Privacy Policy)
Thermal Reflective
Thermal Reflective
This technology helps regulate your temperature by reflecting & retaining the warmth your body generates, while dissipating moisture & excess heat to keep you comfortable.
Resist Rain
and Stains
Resist Rain
and Stains
This rain and stain barrier resists light rain and stains, keeping you clean and protected. Omni-Shield delivers protection from the outdoors where you least expect it but need it most.
- Omni-Heat thermal reflective and insulated
- Omni-Shield advanced repellency
- Interior security pocket
- Zip-closed pockets
- Comfort cuffs
- Thumb holes
- Center back length: 25"
- Imported
100% polyester Windowpane Triple ripstop
100% polyester Thermal Reflective
50% polyester/50% recycled polyester OH, 80g
Women's Mighty Lite™ III Jacket 4.6 5 103 103
Good looking, but not very warm. I bought the white jacket and its indeed smart. But its not warm enough. I stay in New Jersey and it was a cold winter for us this year. And even with the heat reflective technology and down fill this jacket did not serve the purpose. Its only good for temperatures in 30s... April 9, 2014
This product exceeded my expectations ! I was skeptical when the jacket arrived it was truly lite weight,me being a cold person thought this will never keep me warm,all I can say is columbia has done it again.... March 25, 2014
Would not recommend this product for long term cold exposure Overall I would say I love this jacket. The fit was perfect, and the blue color is absolutely beautiful. I have received so many compliments on this jacket. My only complaint about this purchase is that is it not as warm as what I was led to believe. This jacket is fine to wear outside in the winter if you are going from the car to the store and will not be exposed to the elements for a long period of time, however I would not be able to wear this jacket in the wind and snow for very long before I was cold. Overall, a great purchase and I am happy with it, but would not recommend this product for somebody who spends a lot of time outdoors in the cold weather. March 14, 2014
mid weight plus more I purchased this jacket for my wife to replace a worn out one that she wears nearly every day. She is not outside for extended periods and does not need a jacket to handle extreme conditions, but with temperatures routinely in the single digits she needs something that will keep her warm for around 20 minutes without being too bulky. This jacket has been perfect, it is lighter and warmer than the one it replaced and has held up to general abuse very well during this unseasonably cold winter. March 5, 2014
Light and warm I have nothing bad to say about this jacket. It is VERY warm considering how light it is. I can't stand thick, puffy coats and I was only wearing my heavy coat when it was super cold out. It would have to be below 25. Otherwise I wore a lighter jacket and was always chilly. This jacket has not disappointed me yet, even with the polar vortex stuff going on here in the North East right now. I don't know if I would go hiking in sub zero in it, but for everyday it is great. One day it was in the mid thirties and I had a sweater on under the jacket and it actually was too much. Sizing wise, I usually am a women's MD and I got a LG in this because the shoulders were a little snug. Plenty of length in the arms, plenty of body room, just a little snug in the shoulders. February 27, 2014
my wife is always cold! This jacket is lite. She now wears it around the house, out on the patio, every car trip, and so on. It was a great purchase for me as I can turn the heat down and stop sweating. February 20, 2014
Amazingly warm I have the longer version of this coat and I loved it so much I bought the shorter one. When I first bought this I was a little uncertain about its warmth because it is so light and thin, but it has definitely delivered. My only complaint is that the zippers aren't the same quality of my other columbia goods and the insulation peeks out once in a while so I have to trim it. Any concerns of mine are negligible compared to how much I enjoy this product. If only it was waterproof... February 15, 2014
Love It I love this. It is very warm but very light weight. The color is even prettier in person also.. February 13, 2014
I love this jacket This is had been a great buy. It does run a little small. I would have gone with a S but after reading the reviews I went with a M and it was perfect. It's light weight yet warm even in 20 degree weather. I can pack it in my purse or carry on so it's perfect or for travelling. February 9, 2014
Women's Lite Jacket Love the lightweightness of the jacket and the blue color is gorgeous. Jacket seems to do a very good job keeping me warm in temps between 20 degrees and 0 degrees. Will need to do more layering if it gets colder. Had to get large size to ensure it closed over my hips. Usually wear size 6 or 8 pants. So sleeves are too long and I had to roll them over (about 4 inches). Not sure why the jacket is sized this way. Fortunately the shoulders are not unacceptably too wide.Would definitely recommend this jacket if you are looking for a lightweight, stylish winter coverup that does well in pretty cold temperature. February 9, 2014
pleasantly surprised I was looking for a winter coat that was very warm (for COLD Michigan winters) but one that didn't make me look like the Michelin Man. I was worried that because this coat is so light and thin that perhaps it would not be warm. I was SO wrong. I learned a good lesson...you do NOT need to have a thick puffy coat to be a toasty warm coat. I'm very happy with this purchase. I recently had to be outside in zero degrees for about 20 minutes and I was not cold at all! I read that these coats run small and they do. You must order a size or two larger than you normally would but that's my only complaint. The sleeves are nice & long. There is a cuff inside the sleeve with a thumb hole. It has a nice cut & stitching, very flattering. I hope this coat lasts a long time & Columbia keeps making this model. February 4, 2014
Love it Very warm and I love the fit and color. I like that its not so puffy it hurts my neck. February 3, 2014
Love the color! I live in San Diego and spend lots of time outdoors watching my kids at swim meets, I was tired of being cold! I wanted a lightweight jacket yet warm. I went with the green jacket and love the color! I am 5' 4" 125 lbs, I went with the large so I could wear a hoodie underneath. I am glad I got the large, I have plenty of room, but it isn't drowning me. So far, the jacket has kept me warm, sitting out in 50 degree weather for a couple of hours. Not sure it would keep me warm if it was colder though. February 2, 2014
This product is comfortable, functional and attractive I was first drawn to this product because of it's appearance. It is sleek and well-tailored. I then noticed the Thermal Reflective lining and the claims made about it. Although I wouldn't use this jacket to go out for a walk on an extremely cold New England day, It is perfect for wearing when driving in the car because of the lack of bulkiness. I find that if fits quite nicely under my down jacket for lots of extra warmth when I walk outside on a particularly cold day. January 31, 2014
Warm light weight winter coat I am very pleased with the fit and look of this jacket. I had researched light weight warm winter jackets and this coat fits the bill. We have had negative temps and I have kept warm wearing this coat. I bought an extra large to allow room for sweaters etc. it fits perfectly. I would highly recommend. (This is the first review I have ever written on a product. I feel the coat is everything it claims to be.) January 28, 2014
Omni-Heat Rocks(Volcanic Rocks) My wife and I bought the Omni-heat jackets as our new skiing/snowboarding coats. The first test of these coats was in Colorado during the polar vortex which dropped temps in CO to -15'degrees, cold by anyone's standard, but extremely cold for my wife and 5 year old daughter who don't like to be cold. The coats and long underwear base layer kept toasty warm even in -15'temps. I couldn't be more happy with the new Columbia Omni-heat jackets. Warm, soft, and extremely light weight. AndI didn't feel like the little kid from "Christmas Story" that can't put his arms down!!Love this jacket!! January 28, 2014
Light and warm Was skeptical when I opened the box and saw how thin it was, but quickly tried it outside and was impressed with the warmth! I love the lining and thumb holes at the wrists. Could only be better with a hood. The black is a dull black and their is a pattern that I wasn't expecting. The treads are a little frizzy but not bad. Overall, I love it. I ordered a medium because the reviews said it ran small and I usually wear a small. The medium fits fine but I think a small would have fit fine also. Sleeves are a bit long too. Have worn it in zero degree weather and stayed warm!! January 27, 2014
Fantastic Jacket I bought this jacket for my daughter because she liked mine so much. It is very warm and light in weight. January 26, 2014
Glad I Bought It I like how light this coat is, I how white the white is, and I like the thumb holes. The pockets have a warm, soft lining, too - so, if I have to put bare hands in the pockets it feels good and helps keep them warm. It's not quite as flattering on my body as I'd hoped, but it does look good. I'm glad I bought it. January 24, 2014
the best jacket ever I dont like wearing winter jackets because all of the warm one are to bulky but not this one, it keep you verry very warm. i like it so much i going to get it in another color.) January 24, 2014
LOVE IT I love this jacket! I've only had it for a week so I can't comment on durability but I can say that I have worn it horseback riding everyday this week and it's been great. Yesterday was around 15F, snowing, and windy but I was toasty warm with this jacket on. Today was 10F (windchill of 0F) but I was actually SWEATING wearing it. AWESOME. I am 5'7'' ~120lbs. and ordered the XS as I wanted a snug fit. It fits very well in the body and I can fit just enough layers underneath. I do wish the sleeves were ever so slightly longer but that's what I get for ordering the XS. January 22, 2014
Love it! bought this jacket for my mom. originally bought the wrong size. (the sleeves may be a little long for the size) But i contacted customer service and they made the exchange quick and simple. January 21, 2014
Doesn't do the trick :( I bought this for warmth because it's freezing in Ohio. It was a little long which was alright (I just folded them over) but it wasn't nearly as warm as I would have though/hoped. It's very cute but for $100, it's not worth the money. January 21, 2014
exactly what I was looking for! This jacket lives up to it's promise. A warm jacket that won't weigh you down. So light weight and very cozy. I love the thumb holes. I would definitely recommend this jacket. January 19, 2014
Mighty Lite III Jacket This jacket is so thin I didn't see how it could be warm but so far I have no complaints. I haven't been cold once since I started wearing it. It does have a very fitted cut so I would say that it runs slightly small. It looks good and I am very happy with it. I would certainly recommend it to others. I love the cut at the wrists as it keeps the cold air from going up my arms. The neck is looser, which I like, but a scarf would be a good addition it if it is really cold. January 19, 2014
This jacket is great I can't believe how warm and lite this jacket is. It looks great and isn't bulky. Very flattering. Perfect for travel ! January 18, 2014
nice jacket I am happy with this coat. I am thinly built and it fits me well, the arms are actually long enough for my arms. It is light weight and very comfortable to wear. January 17, 2014
She loved it! My wife is allergic to down and wanted a bright white "puffy" coat, but nothing is puffy unless it is down. I found this one and just took a chance that she would like it. I bought it for Christmas and she squealed when she opened it . I'm not sure if it was surprise that I actually listened to what she said she wanted or what but anyway she loves it. She works at the entrance and exit doors at Costco and she said all day long people commented on her coat. January 15, 2014
Runs VERY small I ordered this jacket because I wanted a lightweight, yet warm, coat. The description said it ran slightly small, so I ordered a size bigger than what I normally wear. The jacket was exactly what I needed but I could barely get it zipped! I have exchanged it for the next larger size, but want to warn potential buyers to order this particular jacket 2 sizes larger than what you normally wear. Sounds extreme, but definitely worth it! January 15, 2014
Awesome I've owned the 2011 version of this jacket and it is unbelievable. I have never owned a warmer light weight jacket. Wore it in -17 to -24 degrees up North this year and remained warm and comfortable. I highly recommend these jackets for those who want to stay comfortable in all kinds of weather. I've used it in early spring, winter and fall. Seems like it adjusts to your needs. Great jacket and will buy another. January 15, 2014
Love the jacket I now own both the jacket and the hooded jacket. I am surprised and pleased with the warmth of the product considering its weight. I have worn it in 12 degree weather with some layering and was plenty warm. It is comfortable, flexible and not at all bulky. I find the sleeves a little long, but that is a plus for me. They cuff easily, or I can leave them long and pull my hands inside for extra warmth when I am not wearing gloves. I find it runs a little small. I usually wear size medium, but the large fits nicely over my hips and leaves room to layer. January 15, 2014
lite and airy.... this is a very comfortable jacket to wear, it does not bind nor isn't tight at all. I wear a size M top/jacket but I had to order a L and it fit perfect. I love how lite it is and it does keep me warm. January 13, 2014
LOVE this JACKET! Very light weight, the arms are actually LONG enough for a tall girl, the inside pocket is a nice touch. All the pockets are deep, too! Super warm, water proof too. I see myself wearing this coat pretty much everywhere for a long, long time. Then replacing it with another! I hope you don't stop making them. I"m also happy that it's really white, and there's just a bit of gray trim around the collar. I passed up many other white jackets that had too much black (or whatever random color) on them. I wanted white so I could go to different places (mostly football games) and switch colored scarfs/hats. (My high school, college and pro teams are all different colors.) Love how UNbulky it is. Sometimes winter coats feel like you're being eaten alive by the jacket! January 11, 2014
Great Coat! My niece loved her coat. She said it keeps her warm. January 4, 2014
Great coat I recently bought this coat at an outlet store. I was looking for a less bulky coat for cold winter days. I have been very pleasantly surprised that this coat keeps me warm from 30 degrees to minus 20 degrees. When the omni-heat tag said it would reflect back your own heat, they weren't kidding. I used the jacket today to snowshoe in zero degree weather, I was actually too warm. I will be wearing a lighter base layer next time. I love how light weight it is to wear and to pack. I wear a size 10 and a large fits comfortably with just a shirt or a sweater underneath. Being 5' 9" I appreciate the length of the sleeves, no cold wrists, especially with the thumb hole in the cuff. Overall, I am very pleased with this jacket. December 30, 2013
Good jacket. Great color and style. December 26, 2013
Beautiful Jacket! I am more than pleased with the Women's Mighty Lite Jacket. As the name indicates, it is so wonderfully light but provides more than ample warmth. I especially like the hand warmer feature included at the end of the sleeve and the ice blue color is exactly as featured in the photo. Normally I would wear a size medium, but I found with the jacket (as with most Columbia products) I needed to go up a size for a comfortable, very flexible fit. Would recommend this jacket to anyone! December 22, 2013
Great light jacket Cute and stylish, and it keeps me comfortably warm on chilly mornings. I wear it with just a t-shirt underneath most days, adding a fleece underneath if it's in the low 30s or colder. I am 5'6" and 120#; a size small fits just right. I love the thumb loops in the sleeves, and the OmniHeat technology is great - looking to buy a similar jacket for my husband. December 17, 2013
Just what I wanted Fit is great- Im normally an XS, and it fits perfectly.Color is perfect- looks just like the picture and doesn't look tacky like some colors do on down jackets.Function is great- worn it in 15-32 degree whether and it has kept me very warm. Not sure about anything lower than that.I am very happy with this jacket! December 17, 2013
Women's Mighty Lite Jacket III I love this jacket! It is perfect for a lightweight coat when it is not super cold outside. I also don't feel the need to take it off while I am indoors, and it lets me get cozy and warm. I appreciate how it is not bulky and I can put a sweatshirt on under it and it is still comfy. I've worn it everyday for two weeks and there are a few loose stitches pulling away on the quilting, so I wonder how it will hold up. December 16, 2013
It' so so. Lightweight as promised. Warm for colder weather, not frigid, as promised. But theses are made for women. The sleeves are much too long and the hips/waist are slimmer than desired when ordering the large size. They'll have to do as we can't find 30-40 degree jackets for those intermediate winter days. Columbia used to have them but that was many years ago. We know because we still have them. December 16, 2013
Looking for warmth and found it! Surprised by the light weight of jacket . Temperatures dropped to the 20s and I was kept toasty warm. Fabric easy to clean and is stylish. Will look great on the ski slopes. December 14, 2013
Keeps me warm! Wind or rain or shine.. I use this as an all purpose jacket and it does it's job best! Keeps me warm! luv the fact it is feather light! December 13, 2013
Mightly Light III This jacket is very fitted and very thin which had me worried becuase I live in the bitter cold Chicago. Surprisingly this jacket is very warm. My favorite thing is the finger holes like running jackets have. It does run a little small and I don't think I will be able to wear a larger sweater underneath it. December 13, 2013
Surprisingly warm When I got this jacket I had to return it for the next size up in order to wear thicker layers underneath if I wanted. Glad I did, because it is a great jacket and is very flattering on! I was a bit worried about how thin it seemed, but I've had it in some pretty cold temperatures (though not for any real length of time) and it has kept me very warm. December 11, 2013
The Product is excelent ordering this was a little risky but it's great product, really warm material December 11, 2013
AWE! I am in love with my coat because I Live in Minnesota and wore this everyday. My co workers think that I am crazy to wear thin coat but thermo heat inside helped me warm! December 10, 2013
fit & construction need improvement I love the color & the lightness of the jacket. I always have problem with the length of the sleeves from all columbia jackets. I am a petite 5'2" & the sleeves are way too long. For this particular jacket, the sleeves look twisted towards your body on both side. They do not fall straight down your arm like other brands. Otherwise, love the color & quality.Also please bring low rise hiking pants with 29"-29&1/2" inseam.It is so hard for short people to find pants that fits. December 10, 2013
Winter coat Product was nice but took quite a while to get. We purchased this thinking if we had to we could return to a nearby Columbia Outlet. We do have t return the coat and found out the Outlet store is closed and will have to send back and pay postage again. December 9, 2013
A great coat! My teenage daughters both wear this coat. They like it because it isn't "too puffy" There are lots of cute colors to choose from. Highly recommend. December 7, 2013
Women's Body Measurements (Inches)
|4 - 6
|8 - 10
|12 - 14
|16 - 18
37 1/2
40 1/2
44 1/2
|25 1/2
26 1/2
|27 1/2
28 1/2
|29 1/2
30 1/2
33 1/2
|35 1/2
37 1/2
|34 1/2
35 1/2
|36 1/2
37 1/2
|38 1/2
|41 1/2
|25 1/2
26 1/2
|27 1/2
28 1/2
|29 1/2
30 1/2
33 1/2
|35 1/2
37 1/2
|34 1/2
35 1/2
|36 1/2
37 1/2
|38 1/2
|41 1/2
|Short Inseam
|29 1/2
|Regular Inseam
|Long Inseam
|34 1/2
How to measure
- Chest/Bust: Measure at the fullest part of the chest, under the armpits and over the shoulder blades, keeping the tape measure firm and level.
- Waist: Measure around natural waistline, allowing tape measure to sit comfortably.
- Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips.
- Sleeves: Start at the center back of your neck and measure across the shoulder to the elbow and down to the the wrist. Round up to the next even number.
- Inseam: Measure from the top of the interior leg to the bottom of the ankle.
Women's Fit Guide
Body contouring fit conforms to movement.
Body contouring fit conforms to movement.
Body skimming fit with end-use mobility in mind.
Body skimming fit with end-use mobility in mind.
Modern Classic
Universal, easy fit for comfortable range of motion.
Universal, easy fit for comfortable range of motion.
Most generous fit for a full spectrum of movement.
Most generous fit for a full spectrum of movement.
Shipping Information
|Shipping Method
|Expected Delivery Time
|UPS Ground
|3 - 7 Business Days
|UPS 2-Day Air
|2 - 3 Business Days
|UPS Overnight
|1 - 2 Business Days
|Free Standard Shipping
|Available for Greater Rewards Members. Learn More »
Return Policy
- Returns are accepted within 60 days of the purchase date online or in-store.
- Your apparel must be in original and unworn condition, with tags still attached. Footwear returns must also include the original box.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? See our Customer Service section for more details. Visit Customer Service »
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1101 Kenyon St NW, Washington, DC | Directions 2001038.929851 -77.027931
Mon-Thu 5pm-2am
Fri 3pm-3am
Sat-Sun 12pm-2am
Neighborhoods: Pleasant Plains, Northwest Washington, Northwest
Don't Use Your Credit Card – I had the worst experience at Wonderland Ballroom.
The issue: my credit card was charged almost $70 more than what I authorized, the manager was rude and unhelpful, and refused to refund the difference.
How it happened: this was my first time there (4/22) and my coworkers and I split the check. Two of us paid by credit card and were "authorized" for the remaining balance on the check. We inquired about this and were told, in a very condescending manner, that this is policy, but they don't charge more than what we write in the total. To make matters worst, I when we noticed the amount was higher for this check than the check that we thought we were paying on, we were told point blank "everyone has to pay taxes, we all know that now don't we." Then, when speaking to the server about how he didn't inform us of the additional taxes, which the table should be sharing, or informing the "policy" before charging out cards, he kept rubbing my back and calling me "sister" (we are both black). What the world? Who does that? Anyways, we took pictures of our signed checks noting, again, how much should be charged to each.
Cut to yesterday (4/26) when I see that the payment has posted to my account the night before (4/25). The amount is $67 dollars more than I authorized, in addition, it is about $25 more than the check itself. In no way, even if they mistaken thought that the total price written on my receipt was supposed to a tip (which was clearly zeroed out on the tip line - gratuity was included on the full check), should the amount charged and posted be on my statement. It was like they just put whatever number they felt like on my credit card. I called to Wonderland and let a message that morning. When I didn't hear back hours later, I called again before the bar was set to open. I spoke to the manager who told me, verbatim, that "there is nothing we can do about this now. You would have to deal with your bank. We don't issue refund and charges, in my years of experience, don't post on Monday evenings for a Friday transaction. It usually take 3 business days. If I wait three more days, it would probably drop off." When I tried to inform her that my bank processed the charge already and it really is posted, she kept telling me that it was pending because charged don't work that way. How I interpreted that is that she is calling me a liar. When I tried to tell her that I can print out the statement and bring it to her, she told me to be quiet, she is not done talking, and she is trying to save me the "serious and long process of filing a claim with my bank." I then told her she is done talking about this same thing over and over again when I have tangible evidence showing that I was severely overcharged. She yelled at me that she was trying to help me out and that I obviously don't want it and then she hung up on me. When I called back to try to get the owner of Wonderland's information, no one answered and no one has yet to call me back.
Needless to say, I WILL NOT be a returning customer at Wonderland. I am angry and frustrated with the lack of customer service. At no point during this process, from dealing with the server to the manager, did I receive an apology for their obvious errors. Clearly service here is defined by management, or lack of management skills. I did filed a fraud claim with my bank, but only for the difference between what I was supposed to pay and what was charged. I didn't want a free meal, I just wanted to pay my fair share and give them an opportunity to fix it. Instead, I got nothing but a 'screw you' response. So my advice, besides don't frequent Wonderland Ballroom, is if you go, you won't see me, but make sure you bring enough cash!
Citysearch Editorial Review – The Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights is a neighborhood hot spot that offers as much fun on week nights in its bohemian beer garden and vintage sign-bedecked indoor bar as it does on weekends in its always-packed, second-level dance floor. Owned by Columbia Heights locals Matthew McGovern and Rose Donna, Wonderland maintains a good beer selection with standard and interesting seasonal offerings--a sampling includes Lancaster's Milk Stout and Strawberry Wheat, Paulaner, Leffe Brown, Yuengling and Hoegaarden. It's also a great place to strike up conversation: Encounters at Wonderland have produced at least five marriages according to the Express. That's a record for a neighborhood institution that's only been around since 2004.
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